Sambalpur, January , 2024.

In a bid to develop the potential of the younger generation in building 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047,Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the "Kaushal Rath", a bus providing skills on wheels.This transformative initiative, led by NSDC, aims to provide accessible and hands-on skill training to foster growth and innovation.These specialized mobile buses are designed to provide skill training and certification to aspiring candidates across Odisha’s Sambalpur, Angul & Deogarh districts.

Equipped with state-of-the-art tools, facilities, and certified trainers, these buses will offer training and certification across course modules including Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Retail & Entrepreneurial Skills, amongst others. All these courses can be undertaken on Skill India Digital (SID) which is specially designed and developed to skill, reskill and upskill Indian individuals through an online training platform.

The Kaushal Rath will traverse multiple districts in Orissa, fostering connections with the youth by providing training opportunities for employment and self-employment. Equipped with computers, tools, facilities, and qualified trainers, the Kaushal Rath will journey through the districts of Angul, Sambalpur, and Deogarh. During this phase, it will deliver skill training to the youth in these regions. The event was graced by Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and MD, NSDC International.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call to make India a developed nation by 2047 with a $30 trillion economy. However, in the coming days, as AI and ML become a part and parcel of our daily lives, it is imperative that we train our youngsters in digital literacy and financial literacy so that they are empowered to thrive in the flourishing realm of digital financial services. Moreover, with the nation swiftly transitioning towards a formidable digital payment ecosystem, exemplified by India's dominance in accounting for Rs 45 out of every Rs 100 in digital transactions, our local youth must be well-versed in digital literacy and contemporary technologies. It is my firm belief that this Kaushal Rath initiative will play a pivotal role in educating rural communities, especially women and children, in digital literacy and new-age technology, ensuring that every citizen is well-equipped in this digital era.”

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of and the leading IT company HP India extended the skill development opportunities to the youth residing in the remote areas of Bhuwaneshwar, Orrisa as part of the ‘Kaushal Rath’ initiative, a customized bus promoting the ' Skill India Mission ’. HP has so far contributed 43 of such large IT vehicles and 27 small ones in various states of India.

Kaushal Rath's overarching objective is intricately woven into the fabric of the Government's Skill India mission, where its primary aim is to extend the transformative impact of skill development to even the remotest corners of the nation, effectively closing the skill gap. This initiativegoes beyond by dismantling barriers that impede the journey towards skill proficiency, ensuring that opportunities reach the last mile.

Kaushal Rath achieves these goals by providing inclusive access to skill training for learners, emphasizing practical, hands-on training experiences that seamlessly align with the ever-evolving demands of the rapidly changing technical environment.

By doing so, the initiative opens doors to improved employment prospects for individuals, transcending geographical boundaries and socio-economic constraints. Furthermore, it serves as a catalyst for raising awareness about emerging skills within specific domains or industries, ensuring that individuals remain well-equipped and adaptable to the demands of the future. This multifaceted approach not only enhances employment opportunities but also nurtures a culture of awareness, ensuring that individuals are not just employable today but well-prepared for the skill demands of tomorrow.

Under the guidance of Shri. Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, and Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister, Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India- the ‘Kaushal Rath’ initiative was launched in the month of September’2023 to enable a large number of youths to take up industry-relevant skill training that will improve their theoretical as well as practical knowledge and help them in securing a better livelihood by bringing necessary synergy, oversight, and effective coordination.